This summer a friend introduced me to The Wire. After finishing all five seasons a few weeks back, I am still struggling to wrap my head around the sheer ignorance of this show’s existence in the world of crime television. While I am well aware that some fans would like to keep this gem hidden, as someone who believes in the power of sharing, and more importantly, the power that this show holds, this, here, is my humble attempt (at the risk of coming across as desperate) to convince you why it’s time to drop everything and watch The Wire if you have not already.
Unfolding in the backdrop of Baltimore, Maryland, The Wire showcases the push and pull between power, authority, crime and poverty. The show follows the lives of detectives and drug lords, who are all intertwined through a wire that has been set up by the authorities in the city. This show, in my opinion, gives a genuine portrayal of not only gang wars, drug addicts and the cruelties surrounding the lives of people involved, but also of human life in its most basic form. It does a phenomenal job of capturing the reality of a society affected by racketeering and corruption. The beauty of this show lies in its moving portrayal of raw human emotions, vulnerability and guilt and the way they are skilfully but subtly blended with humour and wit.
The dialogues play a huge role in enhancing the overall plot of the show. The depiction of culture and the use of slang along with the crisp, witty and impactful nature of the dialogues make for some great quotes. The characters, barring a few scenes, mostly express themselves through conversations, skipping over-the-top dialogues and monologues, something that makes them very relatable. Irrespective of the screen time, every single character in the show is noticeably distinct from each other and holds equal significance in the plot. Throughout the five seasons, the characters seem so tangible that one feels like they are present in the same room, witnessing their lives unfold with them. The subtlety and the realism of this show truly left me amazed.
Another highlight of the show would be the iconic death scenes and their elongated build-ups (a bit morbid, I know). I find this worth mentioning because The Wire, undoubtedly, has some of the best death scenes that I have come across in my years of watching films and TV. These scenes are woven in such an artistic and cinematic manner that they are equally hard-hitting and aesthetically pleasing to witness.
In a conversation on aesthetic qualities, this review would be amiss without highlighting the opening theme song of the show. The Wire uses five different versions of the same song, ‘Way Down the Hole’ by Tom Waits, to fit the aesthetic and themes of all five seasons. The show has a pattern of keeping the background score very minimalist but what intrigues me is the occasional use of folk music and songs of cultural significance used to enhance the impact of some scenes. One example, the show introduced me to a beautiful Greek song called ‘Efuge Efuge’ by Stelios Kazantzidis which plays at the end of the episode “Bad Dreams” in Season 2, Episode 11.
I see The Wire as a grey world– blurring the lines between protagonists and antagonists, as all the characters have their fair share of flaws, adding to the genuineness of the show. The plot is backed by solid round characters and when we talk about acting, trust me when I say that all the actors bring out their A-game, but, if I had to choose, then my best bets would be Omar Little, Frank Sabotka and William Rawls played by Michael K. Williams, Chris Bauerand, and John Doman respectively.
The show’s pilot episode was first telecasted in 2002 and the fact that this show’s viewing is so scarce will always be unbelievable to me. Although strongly applauded by the critics (and Barack Obama), The Wire remains criminally underrated in the realm of highly rated and widely viewed crime shows like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos and Dexter. I believe that The Wire is superior to them all, a very bold and controversial statement on my part, but having watched all of them, I stand by it.
In other words, The Wire is a treasure which has not been treasured to its full potential and this is your cue to give this profound piece of art, which is very close to my heart, a chance.
“Omar Little” by Jessica On Paper is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.